Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in the Greater London area is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for their Community Learning Disability Service. In this role, you will provide expert speech and language therapy assessments and interventions for adults with learning disabilities. Applicants must hold a relevant degree, current HCPC registration, and have experience in communication impairment. Competitive salary between £46,419 and £55,046 annually, with opportunities for service development.

Qualifications

• Degree or PG Diploma in Clinical Communication Studies from RCSLT approved training establishment.
• Current HCPC Registration and licence to practice.
• Specialist knowledge acquired through degree and experience with communication impairment.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and specialist speech and language therapy assessment for adults with learning disabilities.
• Ensure speech and language therapy input reflects current best practice and is evidence-based.
• Participate in service development initiatives providing an expert speech and language therapy perspective.

Skills

Clinical skills in communication assessment and therapy

Excellent communication and interactive skills

Knowledge of augmentative communication systems

Education

Degree or PG Diploma in Clinical Communication Studies

Current HCPC Registration

Membership of RCSLT

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

This Band 6 Speech and Language Therapy post is within the Community Learning Disability Service (CLDS) and the post holder will be actively involved in the wider Speech and Language Therapy network across learning disability services in ELFT.

CLDS is an integrated multidisciplinary health and social care service comprised of three care programs focused upon the primary needs of the service users - Transition; Community Health and Well-being; Mental Health and Behavioural Support. The post holder will be expected to work across the three care programs as required.

The post holder will be expected to carry a caseload, independently completing assessments and interventions, including assessment and management of complex communication needs; dysphagia(eating and drinking) difficulties and advising on inclusive communication strategies for people with learning disabilities within Tower Hamlets.

The post holder will be expected to assess eligibility of referrals made to CLDS and cover core service functions such as Duty.

The post holder will be actively involved in service development projects and will be expected to keep up to date with developments in the learning disability field, contributing to audit and research as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

To provide expert advice and specialist speech and language therapy assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and their carers/families, including assessments to determine eligibility for services.

To ensure that speech and language therapy input within CLDS reflects current best practice and is evidence-based.

To collate both quantitative and qualitative information regarding speech and language therapy referrals, interventions and outcomes and use this information to inform service development.

To be actively involved in service development initiatives both within CLDS and in the wider context providing an expert speech and language therapy perspective.

To promote integrated and collaborative working both within and across CLDS, ELFT, LBTH and with external providers.

To work closely with other disciplines within CLDS; other Primary and Secondary health care services; social care teams and with other organisations and agencies that support people with learning disabilities in Tower Hamlets.

To carry out eligibility assessments for adults referred to CLDS.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

• Degree or PG Diploma in Clinical Communication Studies from RCSLT approved training establishment
• Current HCPC Registration and licence to practice
• Membership of RCSLT
• Clinical skills in communication assessment and therapy (including AAC, signing and symbol systems)
• Post-basic qualification in dysphagia
• Training in student supervision

Experience

• Specialist knowledge acquired through degree, experience of working with communication impairment and specialist postgraduate training. Minimum of 18 months’ post registration clinical experience working with adults/children with learning disabilities.
• Evidence of experience of assessment and intervention with adults or children and young people with learning disabilities, including associated physical disabilities, sensory disabilities and/or mental health problems.
• Experience of using electronic recording systems and workflows to document interventions and extract data.
• Skills in clinical supervision of junior SLT's and students.
• Experience of research and audit.

Knowledge and Skills

• Good clinical skills/knowledge across a wide range of dysphagia and communication difficulties
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interactive skills with clients/carers, colleagues, management, staff in other organisations and able to communicate in emotive atmosphere using a high degree of tact and empathy
• Ability to adapt communication to the communication needs of others including according to cognitive ability, language and culture.
• To have highly developed communication skills including knowledge of augmentative communication systems (signing and symbol use)
• Evidence of knowledge of current legislation and government policy and how it affects the provision of services to adults with learning disabilities
• Evidence of knowledge of current models of treatment, care and approaches appropriate for working with adults with learning disabilities, including associated physical disabilities, sensory disabilities and/or mental health problems
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities and how this affects staff and service users
• Specialist knowledge, understanding and application of Speech and Language Therapy process relating to client centred practice
• Ability to set own priorities, working to deadlines and under pressure.
• Evidence of knowledge of current legislation and government policy and how it affects the provision of services to adults with learning disabilities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist

£46,419 to £55,046 a yearper annum Inc HCA